Introducing CoworkVillage!

[Nick Quaranto]

Hey folks! I think we've found a great space for rent in Elmwood Village, at 504 Elmwood. It's next door to a few great restaurants/bars (also a block from Village Beer Merchant!) and in a very walkable area. Here's some pictures from our recent tour:

http://imgur.com/a/6GBRa

It's the basement of a very new building, but it doesn't feel like a dungeon. Some key features:

• Small, private office so you can take a call/have a meeting
• 2 bathrooms with showers! Bikers, be prepared.
• Easy access to a fairly large parking lot directly behind the building (there's also plenty of street parking within 1-2 blocks)

There's a few sticking points that we're still working with the owner/architect on: namely painting the walls, adding some power outlets, and getting those mats in place (it used to be a fitness center, hence the showers). We haven't dropped the deposit yet because we want to verify we're going to have enough coworkers to cover the rent. 

If you're in for a desk, please sign up here. Please be aware that signing up means you're going to pay us! (Office space and furniture costs money, who knew!?) We have a few questions for you as well:

http://coworkvillage.org

There's still a lot of work ahead of us from the organization side (legal, furniture, internet, etc) but we're hoping to open up with our initial group here anywhere from mid-March to April 1. If you have private questions, please feel free to bug in...@coworkvillage.org, or shout out here on the list!

[Clark Dever]

There is a lack of windows in the photos featured in the gallery.  Is a basement really the ideal place to spend 40 hours a week?

Clark Dever
Rogue Technologist
716.713.3199
cl...@clarkdever.com
http://www.clarkdever.com
http://about.me/clarkdever

Please excuse my brevity: http://five.sentenc.es/

[Nick Quaranto]

Valid complaint. It's going to be up to us to make it feel awesome to spend your work week there. The space is reasonably priced and definitely will get us off the ground for coworking in Buffalo.

As a side note, having worked in a gorgeous office full of windows before in a highrise (7th, 8th floors in Boston's downtown crossing area), I can say that most windows had shades down during the day due to glare issues. Windows have their downside too! :)

-Nick

[Clark Dever]

Fending and I co-worked in a basement for a week once.  We worked odd and infinite hours, our captors didn't have wall clocks and our iDevices ran out of power after the first day. The effect on our biorhythms quickly became apparent; if sleep had been an option I don't know if we would have known when it was appropriate.

I've also spent almost 20 days in Las Vegas in the last 3 months. I can only relate the disdain I have for that place in guttural moans that don't translate well in to text. One of Vegas's key differentiators -- no daylight in the casinos.

It's your guys party, so I'm not going to shit on it any further.  But if you haven't signed a lease, I'd spend some serious time considering the impacts of marketing a basement workplace to the masses.

Buffalo is full of cheap real estate, most of it has windows. 

Location is a three dimension concept, the Z axis is important.

Closing blinds is easier than putting in windows,

Clark Dever
Rogue Technologist
716.713.3199
cl...@clarkdever.com
http://www.clarkdever.com
http://about.me/clarkdever

Please excuse my brevity: http://five.sentenc.es/

On Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 9:49 PM, Nick Quaranto <ni...@quaran.to> wrote:

Windows have their downside too! :)

[Robert Maefs]

is the choice is between going to spot for $4 with windows and good ambiance, or working in a basement for $100/mo i'd probably go to spot.  No offense :\

[Dan Magnuszewski]

I'd agree with Nick, I think the space is great, especially to start. There's ways to simulate natural light and we can do the best we can, but I didn't get a dungeony feel (I think the building is less than 5 years old).

There's a lot of cheap space in Buffalo but the main factors we considered were office layout, location/walkability, parking (always a major concern for people), price, and number of people willing to pay to join and help build the community. We've looked at other places, but none were as good as this place, within the price range we were looking for. There was a converted school that we looked at that had lots of windows, but wasn't in a great part of town, and wasn't walkable. We had to weigh the options, and this was the best place to kickstart this venture. With enough participation, we could within a year, get an office with nicer/better options, but the money needs to be there.

-Dan

[Dan Magnuszewski]

There can be good ambiance without windows, IMHO. There's a chiropractor office on the other side of the "basement" that is a very warm and welcoming feel. The area is below ground, but it's in a new building, and by no means a traditional basement.

-Dan

[Nick Quaranto]

I should have mentioned in my original message that although the place looks dumpy right now, it's not going to when we move in and when we start having coworkers in. We're hoping to get matching paint on the walls like the adjacent office (warm red), and we're going to be working with some design minded folks locally to help us pick some kickass furniture to make it feel like an awesome office.

My philosophy is, and will continue to be, if coworking isn't better than your home office, why leave? There shouldn't be a question there, it's going to be, and we're going to make it that space.

That being said, if we get a lot of negative responses, that's part of why we're doing this initial signup/survey for this location. I'd rather figure it out now than later :)

-Nick

[Dan Magnuszewski]

If people have other suggestions of good locations that better match what people want/need, please speak up.

-Dan

[Brian Fending]

Perhaps exposing selection process (number of candidate locations, number viewed, etc) would help rally support.

[Chris Smith]

While the lack of windows is an issue, I think it's outweighed by the location, proximity of restaurants/shopping/bars, parking, and price. With all of the empty buildings in this town, it's shockingly difficult to find usable space. So, I'm in. Enthusiastically.

Chris

--
Christopher M. Smith
Artvoice
810-812 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14202
artvoice.com
Email:  ch...@wnymedia.net
Mobile: 716.982.7537
Web:  http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/wnymediachris

[Brian Fending]

I've been there too and have had the same experience, Chris. It is very hard to find "the complete package", as it were. Most people do not know this, or are better armchair quarterbacks than actual quarterbacks, and so lob snarky replies instead of contributing to the conversation. The respondents I'm noting know nothing of this process, and show nothing but this ignorance in their inarticulate replies.

Also enthusiastic/BF

[John Miller]

Wow.  This process has taken a dark turn (and that's not a pun about missing windows).

[Brian Fending]

Okay, I'll shut the fuck up.

[Clark Dever]

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3641y2/ 

Clark Dever
Rogue Technologist
716.713.3199
cl...@clarkdever.com
http://www.clarkdever.com
http://about.me/clarkdever

Please excuse my brevity: http://five.sentenc.es/

[Clark Dever]

Less Trolly Response (Research around Light and Work Spaces):

http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/daylighting/dr_productivity.asp 

http://www.haworth.com/en-us/Knowledge/Workplace-Library/Documents/Why-Daylight-and-Views-Matter.pdf 

I want your co-working venture to be successful, that's why I brought it up.  I was acting as voice of the customer.  Since I live in Rochester, I'm not currently a customer but I am a prospective one if I move back.

I understand the troubles of the "walking score" when it comes to Buffalo Real Estate.  That said, that block of Elmwood is probably one of the worst blocks on Elmwood.  It's so bad that Jon Mirro moved his Tattoo shop (Hardly a "soft" enterprise) to escape it despite the fact it took almost a year to get all the permitting and building done up by BlueMonk and I've heard rumors that lately the bars there have been offering escorts to patrons at night.

So despite me having not participated in the actual search, having lived in EV for the past few years I do feel that my inputs have some credibility.

Thirdly, Amber and I visited close to 10 Co-Working spaces around the United States in the past 12 months, they all had open-air floor plans and windows galore.  The majority of them were street level to atleast beg the question of passerbys "What is this?".

Clark Dever
Rogue Technologist
716.713.3199
cl...@clarkdever.com
http://www.clarkdever.com
http://about.me/clarkdever

Please excuse my brevity: http://five.sentenc.es/

[Amber]

Yay for a new coworking space in Buffalo! And thanks to those who've
done the ground work so far.

Location is important, but I have to say I'm with Robert for my money.
In the hierarchy of priorities for a space I think daylight, if not a
view, is a need not a want.

Per Brian's suggestion, if there is to be any community discussion
about the space I'd be happy to give feedback based on the coworking
spaces I've been to around the country and a potential customer.

On Feb 14, 11:33 am, Clark Dever <clarkde...@gmail.com> wrote:
> http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3641y2/
>
> Clark Dever
> Rogue Technologist
> 716.713.3199

> cl...@clarkdever.comhttp://www.clarkdever.comhttp://about.me/clarkdever

>
> Please excuse my brevity:http://five.sentenc.es/
>

[Dan Magnuszewski]

I do appreciate the feedback, as windows were not a major concern for me (I've survived working in Soviet style computer labs at UB North Campus). I think for this first go, we need to figure out what we need to have wiggle room on. Cost is a big factor, and our $100/month is $25/month cheaper than Rochester (and probably more than $100 cheaper than in most cities). Are people willing to spend an extra $25 or $50 per month for a higher end location? $100 seemed to be a place that most people were comfortable with (at least initially). Parking is a big issue as well (major complaint I heard from people about MWX and leading reason, IMHO, why we didn't get the numbers we wanted). There's a parking lot behind the building along with free street parking, which eliminates that major complaint. Neighborhood is another. I've never had an issue in this area and thought it was decent (never lived in that block of Elmwood, but frequent the area a lot at night and during the day). We also shouldn't have to worry about permit issues like other businesses do, so that's a plus.

Good space is hard to find for cheap, but if the market (paying coworkers) demand certain amenities, then we'll listen :-) The key is to have this break even with a little left over to reinvest into making it a better space (aka, a kegerator).

-Dan

[Dan Magnuszewski]

Also, we're checking out the space at 1pm today

[Amber Rampino]

Parking is clutch. I would have gone to MWX more often if it wasn't an issue. And it was heated.

Have you considered looking either near Hertel or Grant St? 

I would, theoretically, pay $125/month for a great space but that's about where I cap out. I would not pay $100 for a so-so space.

"Soviet style amenities" is not a brochure bullet :)

--

Amber Rampino
Designer  ::  Marketer  ::  Illustrator
 

amberrampino.com
@amberux
716 218-0494

inkybench.com

@inkybench

[Dan Magnuszewski]

There is a parking lot behind 504 Elmwood with ample spots during the days, plenty of street parking on Elmwood, and free residential street parking on Ashland(?) a block away.

The Soviet style amentities was in reference late 60's style concrete computer science buildings on UB's North Campus, not this place :-)

The price points were a bit high on Hertel and didn't find great spots. We looked at a place near Grant in a refurbished school on Lafayette. It was a bigger space than we needed, and there's still concerns about the neighborhood and was much less walkable than the current spot on Elmwood (the rent was almost double as well).

-Dan

[Dan Gigante]

Fending stopped by the building but if anyone else wants to check out the Tri-Main just let me know, I'll be back in town Friday and there all day. I could set it up to look at some potential spaces (Brian just saw our current space)

There's plenty of light, and while the neighborhood might not be Elmwood Avenue, the building has a lot of energy. The rent is cheap and I've offered to handle the main lease/connection/setup. 

Just wanted to mention it again.

dan

[Amber Rampino]

Tri-Main is an awesome space. Lots of art studios, like you said, good energy.

[Clark Dever]

Yeah, despite it not being located near much retail.  It's a real nice space.  Big open areas with tons of windows.  "The Lunchbox" used to have a location on the first floor to provide food/coffee.  They also had scheduled catering which you could order for delivery.

Clark Dever
Rogue Technologist
716.713.3199
cl...@clarkdever.com
http://www.clarkdever.com
http://about.me/clarkdever

Please excuse my brevity: http://five.sentenc.es/

[Amber Rampino]

I'm pretty sure they're still there.

[Chris Smith]

Since this is Buffalo, I'm predicting a rogue breakaway version of buffalo-coworking called buffalo-coworking-with-windows. 

On Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 4:32 PM, Clark Dever <clark...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Steve Poland]

I saw the space today with some of the guys. It was nice. There's no windows, and I'm not sure how I'll feel about that until I dive into a space with no windows -- originally I definitely was on the side of 'you have to have windows'. After seeing the space, I have no clue how huge of a deal that will be. The location is fantastic, and it's in a new building, it's an open floor plan in the room [with 1 little conference room for meetings of 3 or 4 people].

I think this place just needs some mirrors on the wall [to emulate windows, and more space], and it'll be fine. I really was impressed by the space. The lighting isn't the greatest, but that changes if the guys get the lease. It'd also be grand to put light color wood flooring in, like the Apple stores, http://mostlylisa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/inside-apple-pop-up-austin.jpg   ...but not likely I imagine :)

Granted, when summer comes, I do like soaking in the natural sunlight that we don't get very much of here in Buffalo.

Parking was a big issue of mine at MWX, and at this location it is not an issue at all -- $2 for 10 hours behind the space, or $3.75 (for all day) in the ramp literally across the street, or parking on Elmwood or the side streets.  Getting to this location from the suburbs shouldn't be too bad, although does lack a simple on/off highway option.

The long and short of it is, I'm in for this space. But Kevin/Nick/Dan, maybe you should check out another few places, just so you are sure there isn't anything better out there. (but I really love the location -- everything is there from awesome coffee across the street, to awesome beer, to awesome restaurants and bars w/patios in the summer).

Steve Poland 
http://twitter.com/popo

[John Miller]

I also saw the space yesterday. I wanted to make sure I took the opportunity, because when I hear basement, I wonder about head room (I'm 6' 7", so head room is always a concern).  I also wasn't sold on the idea of no windows, and I've always had problems parking in Elmwood Village.

I was impressed with the space.  It's just about the perfect size - not cavernous, and not too tight.  People will have space to work, but also be close enough to their neighbors to have conversations and spark synergy, which is exactly the point of any co-working space.

The ceilings were high enough that it didn't seem cramped.  They're currently open, but the landlord talked about how he needed to close them up and insulate to protect the businesses upstairs from noise and vice versa, but I think it'll still be good when that happens. There's also a small room (with a window to the main room) that's perfect for taking/making phone calls.  There are 2 bathrooms, each with a shower.  And there's a storage room for monitors or what-have-you, and room to keep a bike or two under the stairs.

All in all, I think with the proper configuration and decoration, this will be a near-perfect space for co-working, and I'm definitely in after seeing it.  My thanks to everyone who's helping lead the charge on finding/getting us a space.  I know the tightrope between amenities/location/price is pretty hard, and I think you're doing a great job.

John
@theediguy

[Dan Gigante]

it's funny because it's usually true.  but definitely not my intent. I think the Elmwood space has a lot going for it, but with the pushback wanted to mention the idea of Tri-Main again.  Either way I see this as a temporary solution and look forward to the long term goal of having space downtown with lots of IT related businesses, co-working, accelerator services and lots of new startups.

[Nick Quaranto]

Hey everyone, just an update here. We're not going ahead with 504 Elmwood right now, and we're scoping out plenty of other spots this weekend and in the next few weeks. Stay tuned! I want to build a community that lasts here in a space that everyone can be happy with. Thanks for dealing with us and giving us honest feedback.

[JoshP]

If anyone is looking for Co-working space now , I have some space
available here in our office here on Broadway in Cheektowaga. Fee
open for discussion and possibly trade of services if you are in web/
design fields. Have desks, a few computers, and a meeting/training
room with projector plus may have some storage/ production space.

Josh P.

[John Miller]

Haven't heard anything in about 2 weeks, so I wanted to touch base and see what, if anything, has been happening.  I was out of town for a bit, and catching back up.

Anything I can assist with?

--John

[Nick Quaranto]

Hey John,

We actually just visited a space that would be big enough for Buffalo Lab and those interested in coworking fit together. That's all of the updates I have right now…I'm not in Buffalo this week so it's a bit tough for me. Hopefully we can get the ball rolling again, I want to see this happen!

-Nick

[John Miller]

Awesome, thanks!  I know there was a lot of discussion about the Tri-Main, but then it dropped off and I hadn't heard if we were moving forward on that, or continuing to look.

When you get back, if there's anything I can do (even if that's to just keep my mouth shut and chill out), let me know.

[Dan Magnuszewski]

The issue is that Fischer Price has a contingent offer on the space and they're taking their sweet time to decide. In the meantime, some of the guys and the Makerspace checked out a bigger (5,000 sqft) place, but they still have a lease until June/July. In the meantime, Brian  Fending is offering up his space for on Delaware, Downtown for coworking (contact him if interested).

...more details to come :-)

-Dan